The Two Ways to Restart Your Samsung Galaxy Tablet
A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which fixes most freezing, lag, and connection problems. Samsung Galaxy tablets have two restart methods: a soft reboot (the normal restart) and a hard reboot (a forced restart when the tablet won't respond). A soft reboot takes about 30 seconds and is what you should try first. A hard reboot forces the tablet off when ready and is only necessary if the screen is frozen or the tablet won't turn on.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether your tablet is responding to touch or completely frozen. Both methods are safe and won't erase your files, photos, or apps.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot (normal restart) works when your tablet is responding and takes about 30 seconds from start to finish.
- Hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 seconds to force a hard reboot if your tablet is frozen or unresponsive.
- After a reboot, wait 30 to 60 seconds before opening apps so the tablet can finish loading in the background.
- Rebooting does not erase your files, photos, apps, or account information—it only clears temporary memory.
How to Do a Soft Reboot (Normal Restart)
Use a soft reboot when your tablet is still responding to touch but is slow, freezing, or having connection issues. This is the gentler method and should be your first choice.
Press and hold the Power button (usually on the right or top edge of the tablet) for 2 to 3 seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Power off," "Restart," and sometimes "Emergency mode." Tap Restart. The screen will go black, and the Samsung logo will appear. Wait for the tablet to finish loading—this takes about 30 seconds. You'll see the lock screen when it's ready.
If you don't see a Restart option and only see "Power off," tap that instead. The tablet will turn off completely. Wait 10 seconds, then press the Power button again to turn it back on. This achieves the same result as a restart.
How to Do a Hard Reboot (Forced Restart)
Use a hard reboot only when your tablet is completely frozen, the screen won't respond to touch, or it won't turn on with the Power button. This method forces the tablet off without waiting for apps to close.
Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. Do not release them early. The screen may flash or show the Samsung logo, but keep holding. After 10 to 15 seconds, the tablet will vibrate or the screen will go black. Release both buttons. Wait 5 seconds, then press the Power button alone to turn the tablet back on.
The hard reboot process is the same on most Samsung Galaxy tablets, including the Tab S series, Tab A series, and Tab S Ultra. If your tablet still won't respond after a hard reboot, the battery may be completely drained—plug it into a charger and wait 15 minutes before trying again.
What to Do After Your Tablet Restarts
After the reboot completes and you see the lock screen, unlock your tablet as usual. Wait 30 to 60 seconds before opening apps or doing heavy tasks. During this time, the tablet is finishing background processes and loading system files. Opening apps too quickly can cause lag or freezing again.
If the problem that caused the reboot (freezing, lag, or connection issues) returns within a few minutes, the issue may be with a specific app rather than the tablet itself. Try opening apps one at a time to identify which one is causing the problem. If one app consistently causes freezing, uninstall it or clear its cache through Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Cache.
When to Reboot vs. When to Seek Other Solutions
A reboot fixes most temporary problems: apps freezing, the tablet running slowly, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth not connecting, or the screen becoming unresponsive. If the problem happens only once and doesn't return after a reboot, you don't need to do anything else.
If the same problem happens repeatedly after multiple reboots, the issue is likely not temporary. Check for system updates by going to Settings > About tablet > Software update. Install any available updates, as they often fix bugs that cause freezing or lag. If updates don't help and a specific app is the problem, uninstall that app. If the tablet is slow or freezing no matter what app you use, your storage may be full—go to Settings > Storage and delete files, photos, or apps you no longer need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rebooting erase my files or photos?
No. A reboot only clears temporary memory and restarts the system. Your files, photos, apps, and account information stay on the tablet. The only way to erase data is to do a factory reset, which is a different process.
How often should I reboot my tablet?
You don't need to reboot on a schedule. Reboot only when you notice a problem like freezing, lag, or connection issues. Most tablets work fine for weeks without a reboot, but some people reboot once a week as routine maintenance.
What's the difference between a soft reboot and a hard reboot?
A soft reboot is a normal restart where the tablet shuts down apps gracefully. A hard reboot forces the tablet off when ready without closing apps. Use soft reboot first; use hard reboot only if the tablet won't respond to touch or the Power button.
My tablet is still frozen after a hard reboot. What do I do?
The battery may be completely drained. Plug the tablet into a charger and wait 15 to 20 minutes, then try the hard reboot again. If it still won't respond, contact Samsung support or visit a repair center.
Can I reboot my tablet while it's charging?
Yes, you can reboot while charging. It's actually a good idea to keep the tablet plugged in during a reboot so the battery doesn't drain during the restart process.